A wildfire that started five days ago in a North Carolina wildlife refuge about 70 miles south of Norfolk is still spreading smoke throughout the Hampton Roads region as I type this, and officials speculate that pollutant levels might reach Code Purple-- the highest possible danger level-- in this area by today.

The fire in North Carolina has burned 1,438 acres. There's also one raging in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

I'm relieved to be far away from the fire, but... damn, the smoke. It's pervasive.

"It, uh... it was not supposed to be a fight to the death.""Trust me, they're better off now.""Yeah, you're probably right."